It was also a different summer league compared to 2013, with much better prospects in the rookie class leading to greater fan interest and, in turn, an improved atmosphere at games. Having many more electric players helped, as did the curiosity factor of the chance to see Dante Exum, surprise first-rounder Bruno Caboclo and, after a season off, Noel. Even the coaches were interesting — Steve Kerr worked a game on the Warriors bench, David Blatt went the whole way on the Cavaliers sideline and Derek Fisher likewise took over the Knicks right away.

In short, there was a lot to discuss.

* A big question on the way out of Orlando: Who is going to hit shots for the Magic? Management has loaded up on defenders/projected defenders (Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton) and rebounders, and that’s a good way to build a foundation. But that backcourt. The lack of a jumper is one of the concerns with Payton, so either Oladipo returns to his form from the final year of college, as opposed to last season as a rookie, or the Magic will be easy to defend if they play non-shooters Gordon, Payton and Oladipo together.

It was obviously one of the reasons they signed Channing Frye. But Frye can be good as a stretch four, in comparison to other bigs and not in comparison to the best 3-point marksmen in the league overall. Gordon, another power forward, said he has worked hard to improve his shooting, made 35 percent of his attempts. Oh, and 47.8 percent of his free throws. He is going to get sent to the line a lot this season. Basically, any shot within five feet is an automatic foul if the defender can get to him.

* A big question on the way out of Las Vegas: How far will be the Bucks go with this Giannis Antetokounmpo-as-point guard thing. They are adding Kendall Marshall at that position and reportedly are adding Jerryd Bayless as a combo guard. Those are significant moves after coach Jason Kidd made it clear he wanted a long look at Greek Freak with the ball in his hands, maybe even as the starter in the regular season. The new backcourt depth might ordinarily signal an end to that experiment, except the chance to maximize a blossoming talent like that should always take precedence over a Marshall or Bayless.

It goes beyond July chatter because this is a reserve big on the team that traded Omer Asik and lost out on Chris Bosh. If Motiejunas is ready to take a big step forward when it matters, that’s an important storyline to track for the Houston inside game that has supposedly been weakened, and the entire Western Conference.

* Expect event organizers and NBA officials to come up with a solution next year for selling out glamour matchups in Cox Pavilion and having to refund tickets to fans who did not want to watch the games being played at the same time in adjacent Thomas & Mack Center. The ticket office had to give back about $1,500 alone when some 60 customers were turned away at the Cox door when Wiggins and the Cavaliers faced Jabari Parker and the Bucks on opening night.

There is an easy answer. While the schedule is set before the Draft, without knowing how the lottery plays out and which games will become especially popular, it is possible for those highest-profile matchups to be switched from Cox (capacity: approximately 2,500) to Thomas & Mack (capacity: 18,776). The T&M contest that starts about the same time would move to Cox.

* This will turn out to be a good draft for the Grizzlies. Jordan Adams as a scorer from the backcourt at No. 22, Jarnell Stokes as muscle, as if the Grizz needed more ways to beat teams inside, at 35 — Memphis got two players who could contribute right away.

Also, Tony Snellwas one of the Vegas standouts, an encouraging sign for the Bulls in the Montiejunas way of a returning player appearing ready to step into a larger role. It’s not that Snell averaged 20 points in 30.1 minutes or made 17 of 34 tries from behind the arc. It’s that he looked stronger and played focused, factors that translate to the regular season.

* Hornets assistant/Summer League coach Patrick Ewing, on rookie Noah Vonleh: “You’re going to get pushed around, but he has to man up and fight. I don’t care how old you are, you’ve got to fight. They say if a dog don’t bite when it’s a puppy, it ain’t going to bite when it’s a dog. I don’t care how old you are, you’ve got to fight.” Vonleh, the No. 9 pick, responded by getting double-digit rebounds in three of the last four games despite not playing more than 29 minutes. “He’s going to have to work on everything,” Ewing said. “I’m very tough on him because I see the potential in him to be very good.”

* Utah’s Exum, saying he is a point guard despite skepticism from some front offices, had 14 assists and 15 turnovers in Vegas. Celtic Marcus Smart, saying he is a point guard despite skepticism from some front offices, had 21 assists and nine turnovers in Orlando (and shot 29.4 percent, the worst of anyone there with at least 55 attempts). Payton, the top prospect among prototype point guards, had 35 assists and 20 turnovers in Florida. Those are all meaningless Summer League numbers, because of the calendar, because their teammates in the regular season will, in theory, convert more of the scoring chances, and because teams had only a handful of practices before first playing. But they are exactly the numbers that will be tracked with a microscope starting in the fall.

4 Comments

I’m really not understanding the lack of shooting we’re going with here in Orlando. I know management and the front office are hopeful and confident these players will work on their games (as they chose them for attitude as much as for their defensive potential) but even if you work on them consistently it doesn’t mean it will translate to enough of an improvement to be useful (Dwight Howard and his constant practice with free throws comes to mind). Then there’s Orlando’s biggest issue: keeping it’s coveted players. Let’s say this team starts to perform well, becomes a threat in the East, and a star or two blossoms. How do we prevent those stars from eventually leaving like they have in the past? Our weather isn’t enough, our lack of a state income tax isn’t enough, and the fact we’re not a true small market (as we have payed heavy in the past) isn’t enough. Heck, being competitive isn’t enough. What do we do to guarantee this team stays together long enough to see the spoils? We’re banking on the fact that 3,4, 5 years down the road we can contend if this young core commits. But history tells us not all will.

@Dont’ ever CLICK MY NAME!!!! You Have been warned: it’s gonna be pitiful in Philly for the next few years. But I’m liking a lineup of MCW, KJ McDaniels, Saric, Noel, and Embiid. Jerami Grant, Jordan McRae, 6th man Tony Wroten, and future first rounders that will likely be very high lottery selections (maybe top 5). That’s a roster right there and if we get them to buy into our plan they can develop there into a championship roster.